>Hello hello - you are aware of the history of presidents and presidential elections and religion are you not? We are a country of religious freedom. However, every president and presidential candidate throughout history (unless you can show me evidence of one who did not) has declared their religion publicly. Obama gets to be the first to not have to? If he was a satanist would you still have voted for him? It certainly does play a part in the presidential election. He certainly is free to worship (or not) as he sees fit. The public also has the right to vote (or not) for him based on his church affiliation (or none thereof).

Isn't it a prerequisite to "believe in God" for many public offices in the US ? If so, declared atheists like Kevin would be barred from office, which in my eyes fits not with real religious freedom - even if citizens are free to "practice" their non- or other religion, some of them are left out of government for religous reasons ONLY... And what would happen to followers of Mitra, or Kali and Shiva running for office ? Shintoists ? Who decides if "belief in God" has been met ? [memories of old "proofs of God's existence" in Latin resurge...]

curious non-believer [not even in atheism]

thomas